Daily Treasure

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20).

The parable of the rich fool is also familiar to many of us. It is one thing to be rich, but this man was selfish and greedy with his wealth. He wasn’t willing to share any of his vast amounts of goods. If you read the complete story in Luke 12:13-21, you will find this man had “I” trouble. He didn’t appear grateful to God for his earthly riches. Many times people who attain great wealth don’t feel the need to depend on God. They don’t stop to thank God for their blessings, forgetting everything we have belongs to God. He entrusts us to be good stewards.

If God blesses us beyond what we need, we should be thankful and willing to share our wealth with those in need. The latter could include our local church or missionaries at home or abroad. If we allow pride and greed to creep into our lives, we, too, may hear the same words the rich man heard from the lips of Jesus, “Thou fool.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for widows and widowers today. Many are lonely.

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day not the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:13).

We saw in yesterday’s devotion the necessity of being prepared to meet the “Bridegroom.” When there is an earthly wedding, people receive an invitation that contain the date, place, and time of the event. We circle that on our calendars and make plans to attend.

As long as time remains, there is a bidding for us to prepare for the “marriage supper of the Lamb,” through the preaching, teaching, and study of God’s Word. We must be prepared to meet the Bridegroom at what might be the “midnight hour” because the request for our presence at that “marriage” will not list a date or time. Watch and pray for the imminent return of our Savior. We must keep the “lamp” of our lives filled with the “oil” of His Spirit and shining brightly until His return. Be a faithful witness and extend the invitation to those you know who are not ready to meet the “Bridegroom.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Sunday school teachers today as they face challenges and bear great responsibility.

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom” (Matthew 25:1).

Most of us are familiar with the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. They were described as five being wise and five being foolish. The wise ones made proper provision to be prepared to meet the bridegroom. The others foolishly thought they had plenty of time to buy oil for their lamps so, according to custom, they would be ready the evening of the wedding to meet the bridegroom. The bridegroom delayed his coming so one by one the virgins or maidens fell asleep. However, at the midnight hour the bridegroom came and only five were ready for his coming. What a shock to the five who had no oil for their lamps! They scrambled to find a way to buy some. They even begged the five wise ones for some of theirs. It wasn’t their fault the foolish virgins waited until it was too late. Sadly, when they arrived at the wedding, not only were they not allowed in, but they heard the most tragic words, “I know you not” (Matthew 25:12b).

The “bride” is the church, we are likened to the virgins or like bridesmaids, and Jesus is the “Bridegroom.” One day, at a time we know not, the Bridegroom will come for His “Bride.” We must be prepared to meet Him. Will we be found wise or foolish?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Begin praying that Impact Charleston (July 19) will yield a harvest of souls.

“If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

We had a tree in our back yard that was covered in poison ivy. The ivy was killing the tree and it had to come down. As long as we left the poison ivy alone it wasn’t a bother but the day my son and husband started cutting it down and cutting up the tree the poison began to spread. Three adults and three children were covered in a few days. The children were taken to the doctor for medication with strength to heal the ivy.

It reminded me of sin and when we get into sin, how it spreads and causes misery. We need to leave sin alone. We need to learn to recognize it and run. Run to the One who can forgive and cleanse from sin.

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for youth directors serving in local churches.

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me” (Psalm 138:7).

The other day I was in our yard playing with the dogs. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a little rabbit. I whispered to myself please God let it be on the outside of the fence. It wasn’t. When the dogs spotted it they ran for it. I yelled at them and after a very tiring chase and handing the rabbit back and forth, the dogs knew I was very upset with them. The lab dropped it to the ground. The little rabbit was give out, unhurt, but lying still on the ground. Carefully I reached down and picked up the poor little bunny by the nap of the neck. It did not move. I talked softly to it and as much as humans can, reassured the helpless little thing. I took it to the fence and dropped it on the other side in a tuft of grass. I leaned over and talked sweetly to the little rabbit and it looked back at me, wiggled its nose and took off. I thanked the Lord and suddenly this thought gripped my heart. How many times in my life has the Lord reached down and picked me up and placed me in safety? I am so thankful for an ever watching Father who is always there for me and reaching down with His loving hand, placing me into safety.

PRAY TOGETHER: Remember to pray for home missionaries ministering far away from extended family. It’s especially difficult when illness strikes.

“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not” (Luke 12:40).

If you knew Jesus was coming back for you sometime today, what would your perspective be about your money and other possessions? None of us know when, but we rest on the promise He is coming back soon. If it was imminent back in New Testament times, how much nearer are we to the time when we will leave everything behind to be with our Savior?

One of my former pastors used to use this phrase, “I’ve never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul truck behind it.” Whether we go by the grave or meet the Lord in the air, the old saying, “you can’t take it with you” applies. Until Christ returns, let’s not be consumed with our possessions. They are temporal and will stay behind when we leave this earth to spend eternity with God. Be ready to meet the Lord every day and to let go of all the things He loaned to you in this life.

PRAY TOGETHER: Do you have new neighbors? Pray, visit and get to know them. They may need a Savior and/or a good church home.

“Blessed are those servants whom the lord when He cometh find watching” (Luke 12:37a).

While waiting for Christ’s return, there is a human tendency to hold on tightly to those things we value most in life. We want to do everything possible to protect them because they belong to us. However, everything we have in this life, as a child of God, is entrusted our care. We are simply to be stewards of what really belongs to God.

I think of the story of Job. He lost everything precious to him, but it didn’t destroy his faith because he was totally dependent on God.

Just imagine if you lost everything you treasure, what would it do to your faith? Would it draw you closer to God, or would you drift away from Him? If you remain faithful in spite of adversity, God will restore. It may not be like what He did for Job, but He will continue to meet your every need.

He wants you to stay focused on Him as you watch and wait for His return. Don’t lose sight of that by holding on too tightly to your treasures.

PRAY TOGETHER: Ask God for guidance and discernment as we exercise our freedom to vote in our national election in November.